Headlight issue

[JTFG]

Hi Guys.

I'll try and keep this one short :P
Roughly about 10 months ago I replaced both of the H4 globes and upgraded to a better pair of globes.
Pretty sure it was the Philips Blue Vision.
About 4-6 months later the RHS low beam dies.
Didn't think much of it so replaced with the Philips Crystal Vision and generally hope that there wouldn't be any issues, then once again, 4-6 months of usage the RHS low beam dies again..

Thought I'd ask if anyone has had a similar problem before and what it could be?

Replacing the globes constantly isn't very fun lol

[Rambunctious]

I don't know if it is true but I was told not to handle the globes with bare hands, use gloves or rag.
Someone may confirm or discredit this.

[Mechan1k]

No ... it's more a case of upgraded globes using a much thinner filament ... and they fail considerably more quickly ... they have a much shorter lifespan than a standard/longlife globe.

It's a common issue .... do you drive with lowbeam on all the time (like i do ... day or night???) I get about 6 months out of a set of Narva +50s ... less for the Phillips stuff.

There apparently are a few new ones out now that are using stabilisers inside the globe to prevent this from causing premature failure. I think the Narva +90s or are they +100s now ... have these ... and the IPF Fatboy 4x41's use them as well.

[JTFG]

Thanks for the replies so far

Originally Posted by Rambunctious

I don't know if it is true but I was told not to handle the globes with bare hands, use gloves or rag.
Someone may confirm or discredit this.

The previous set were installed with gloves at all times but installed pretty rough so figured that could of reduced the lifespan.
The current pair were installed perfectly.
This is why I thought something isn't right.

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

No ... it's more a case of upgraded globes using a much thinner filament ... and they fail considerably more quickly ... they have a much shorter lifespan than a standard/longlife globe.

It's a common issue .... do you drive with lowbeam on all the time (like i do ... day or night???) I get about 6 months out of a set of Narva +50s ... less for the Phillips stuff.

There apparently are a few new ones out now that are using stabilisers inside the globe to prevent this from causing premature failure. I think the Narva +90s or are they +100s now ... have these ... and the IPF Fatboy 4x41's use them as well.

Oh really?
This is something I never really knew about.
I wouldn't say I drive with them all day, but I do tend to have the lights on before it gets dark before other cars and in the mornings to when I don't really need them on (unless if it's incredibly sunny)

I also do lots of night driving so maybe there is something to it with what you're saying?

For example if I was to purchase Narva branded globes then I'd want to look at the ones which says plus 90 or 100?
http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/h4
Don't know a whole heap about the globes sorry

[Mechan1k]

I just run the +50s ... as they are still affordable as I replace them often-ish ... and give decent output for the price.

I may give the 100s a try soon though ... G6ET Spot had a good Narva Press Release link for the new ones ... he's used the 24V ones in trucks when he used to drive as well ... and swore by them ... can only use the 12V ones in cars though.

Will see if i can dig it up and post it.

[JTFG]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I just run the +50s ... as they are still affordable as I replace them often-ish ... and give decent output for the price.

I may give the 100s a try soon though ... G6ET Spot had a good Narva Press Release link for the new ones ... he's used the 24V ones in trucks when he used to drive as well ... and swore by them ... can only use the 12V ones in cars though.

Will see if i can dig it up and post it.

I can see why you use the +50s now.
Will most likely just get something cheaper as it's hard to justify paying $100 for globes every 6 months.

That would be great thanks

[Mechan1k]

Yeah ... the +50s around about $24 a pair from memory for the H4s.
Not the pretty blue that some people love ... but affordable for better light output.

[Mechan1k]

Hahahahhaaha ... I found it ... in my own build thread.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...&postcount=593

Good info from Dave.

[JTFG]

That's much better than paying $100
How many hours do you get out of your globes for example in comparision?

Thanks for the link

[Mechan1k]

well ... it's close to 6 months.
BUT ... as soon as I turn the car on ... I turn my lowbeam on.
So ... one job is just to and from the office ... about an hour a day all up.
The other job is courier work ... stop-start ... I am out on the road for at least 8 hours a day around Sydney metro ... most of that is with headlights on. 2-3 days a week

[JTFG]

Yeah I don't think I do as much driving with the low beam on.
I do lot's of country driving which invovles low beam.
Would the vibrations of constant country driving affect the lifespan of a globe?

Though i'd ask the stupid questions lol

[Mechan1k]

When I was living more rural .. the roads weren't as smooth I guess .... but also I am finding in metro that road condition is very hit and miss.

Some of the roads are being fixed here and there ... but there's still a hell of a lot of holes and undulations ... and patches.

I really haven't had much difference to lifespan change really since coming back into an urban area. Got more chance of bending a rim (like i recently did) in suburbia than I did out in rural areas ... I'd say there's more chance of globes blowing due to hitting potholes in suburbia than out in the country ... depends on the road condition ... and what size rim/tyre you are on as well.

[mik]

yes all globes are not created equal for sure, i have a set +90`s at the moment, been in about 4 months, but not doing a lot of k`s at the moment., keep a spare set in the garage, it`s pretty much a given i think the higher performance the globe the shorter the life, the same even goes for household filament type globes,
the not touching the glass on the halogen globe thing, i believe it is oil from your finger tips causes the globe to blow.....don`t ask me why, my only guess is the oil causes a tempreture difference in the glass, if you accidentally touch the glass you need to wipe it with methylated spirits.

[JTFG]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

When I was living more rural .. the roads weren't as smooth I guess .... but also I am finding in metro that road condition is very hit and miss.

Some of the roads are being fixed here and there ... but there's still a hell of a lot of holes and undulations ... and patches.

I really haven't had much difference to lifespan change really since coming back into an urban area. Got more chance of bending a rim (like i recently did) in suburbia than I did out in rural areas ... I'd say there's more chance of globes blowing due to hitting potholes in suburbia than out in the country ... depends on the road condition ... and what size rim/tyre you are on as well.

Thanks for the general summary.
Yeah I don't think it's from my country driving.

Originally Posted by mik

yes all globes are not created equal for sure, i have a set +90`s at the moment, been in about 4 months, but not doing a lot of k`s at the moment., keep a spare set in the garage, it`s pretty much a given i think the higher performance the globe the shorter the life, the same even goes for household filament type globes,
the not touching the glass on the halogen globe thing, i believe it is oil from your finger tips causes the globe to blow.....don`t ask me why, my only guess is the oil causes a tempreture difference in the glass, if you accidentally touch the glass you need to wipe it with methylated spirits.

I can see the theory of the shorter lifespan of a more powerful globe.
It's pretty helpful actually for my next purchase thanks

Yep made sure that I never touched the glass on the globe

[Mr Hardware]

j0nni, is your car lowered with lower profile tyres?
i've often found that cars that ride harsh rattle the filaments out of the bulbs

[Pavey]

I'm on my third set of Crystal Visions, get them off ebay for $60 from memory. They last roughly 4 months for me. I just can't stand the yellow tinge to normal globes

[JTFG]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

j0nni, is your car lowered with lower profile tyres?
i've often found that cars that ride harsh rattle the filaments out of the bulbs

The Fairmont is stock on with 16's :P
So most likely not from that haha!

Originally Posted by Pavey

I'm on my third set of Crystal Visions, get them off ebay for $60 from memory. They last roughly 4 months for me. I just can't stand the yellow tinge to normal globes

Yeah I can't stand that yellow tinge.
$60 is pretty good!

In the end I purchased the Narva Artic Plus 50 globe's
Not a bad price for the light it provides.

[dopeydazza]

My AU2 I installed Phillips Blue +80 about 2 1/2 years ago, right hand low beam finally blew. Bloody expensive globes, low beam was ****, high beam was fantastic.

Question, does it pay to change both globes at same time? or can I put in a spare in rh side?